Benitez suspended for incident with Oduro

FCD defender faces fine, two-game penalty after committee review

May 7, 2010

Steve Hunt

MLSsoccer.com

The Major League Soccer disciplinary committee on Friday suspended FC Dallas defender Jair Benitez one game and fined him $250 for an off the ball incident against Houston Dynamo forward Dominic Oduro during the teams’ matchup against on Wednesday at Robertson Stadium.

The incident, which occurred in the 26th minute of the game, was not seen by the officiating crew and Benitez was not called for a foul. Upon further review of the play, the committee decided that the action constituted a red card offense.

Benitez was sent off later in the same game, receiving a red card in the 73rd minute for a challenge against Dynamo forward Luis Angel Landin, an offense that carries an automatic one-game suspension.

As a result, Benitez will miss FC Dallas’ next two league matches; against D.C. United on Saturday and at the Philadelphia Union on May 15.